Name/Title
AU Harris, James Lowell - 1943-02-22 'Grandpa's Chair'Entry/Object ID
1990.1.430Context
"GRANDPAP'S CHAIR"
or
THE HARRIS FAMILY
IN PICTURE AND POEM
by James Lowell Harris
TO THE READER
In the summer of 1942 I set out with the goal of seeing once more all of the living brothers and sisters of my Father. To make my visit a permanent record, I brought along a camera and succeeded in taking the pictures seen in this book. The fact that two loved ones have passed on to their reward since these pictures were taken, makes this booklet all the more valuable.
The picture of my Father and Mother was taken July 14, 1940, on my Father's 70th birthday. Exactly six months later he passed to the Great Beyond.
May this booklet inspire future generations of the Harris family to carry on the splendid heritage which is ours!
James Lowell Harris
The First Presbyterian Church
Glenns Falls, New York
February 22, 1943
NOTE: In order to make this book of more value, some readers may have pictures of Uncle Jordan and Uncle Carlos to add to their booklets.
This booklet is dedicated to
the memory of
my Father
JOSEPH HASTINGS HARRIS
whose great heart reached out and loved all of this family and whose life was a living example to his son, of that Man of Galilee.
and to my
Mother
BERTHA LAMBERT HARRIS
whose courage and faith will enable her to see again, through restored vision, the faces of the ones pictured in this booklet.
AUNT LUCY AND AUNT LIDE
Here I must with you confide
Of two nice girls named Lucy and Lide
They've got the pepe with which they were born,
For Lide bakes bread, and Lucy hoes corn.
And you'll not find them in high-heeled shoes
Nor trying to squeeze into number twos;
But they'll be working most of the day
With their feet attired in Nature's way.
They're one fine pair of devoted sisters
But the work they do would give me blisters;
And may the Creator add many more years
To the useful careers of those two dears!
UNCLE GEORGE AND AUNT LIDE
And here's Aunt Lide and Uncle George-
The finest faces God could forge
Through devotion, thrift, and honest toil
Derived from living near His soil.
Year upon year they hitched a mare
To the buggy and driven with patient care
O'er rolling hills, to a lovely sight
Where Mt. Hermon stands with walls so white.
And here near graves where loved ones sleep
Their worship with their God they keep;
And though the years have passed and flown,
Their strength has ebbed but their souls have grown
Through all the struggles and storms defied----
Thank God for folks like George and Lide!
UNCLE GEORGE
(Written after hearing of his passing)
How well I remember
That August day together we rode
In the same buggy
O're those lovely green, rolling hills
That my father loved;
And how you talked of days gone by --
Of voices now hushed -- of faces seen no more
Now living in that "Beulah Land"
Of which you used to sing
'Neath Mt. Hermon's spire - a sacred place
When I, a small lad
Looked up, and loved the kindness of your face!
How well I remember
When our ride had ended:
I thought the tears welled in your eyes;
But I went my way and you
Went yours over those lovely hills---
And now you have joined that mighty host
In that far-off "Beulah Land" I hear
In joyful tone you sing
No longer mid Mt. Hermon's trees---
But around that shining throne!
AUNT LUCY
If you can't walk twenty miles or so,
Or milk the cows and pitch the hay
Then you can't keep up with Lucy
For she'll wear you out in a day!
Whether it's washing, gardening or baking
With a kinkly heart and a constant smile
She's the spriest thing there is on legs---
That's just Aunt Lucy's style!
And when some trouble comes along
Or an aching heart to be cured;
She seems to know just how it hurts,
And how it can be endured.
And then you'll never hear her complain
Though sorrow has crossed her ways
She makes the sunshine out of rain--
She's one of God's own shining rays!
UNCLE FRANK
And now a gentleman of highest rank
You'll see right here in Uncle Frank;
And as you look right at his face
There's kindness found in every trace.
He loves to read from the Sacred Book,
And knows its lines and every nook,
And Church meetings too, he loves to attend
To every man he is a friend.
And when I took this picture of him;
He wondered if he would look beautiful and prim;
It was a good joke, but I think we all see
How lasting such beauty in character can be!
UNCLE LEONARD AND AUNT MAUD
And now we see our Leonard and Maude:
An uncle and aunt I am glad to laud,
For my mind goes back to those happy days
When I hoed some corn in the sun's hot rays
In Uncle Leonard's large garden patch;
For I was always hard to catch
Since I left Uncle Leonard far behind,
And hoed like mad, chopping here and there,
Then sat down to rest, tho' it wasn't fair
To Uncle Leonard's fine hoeing skill;
But still he laughs and gets his fill
Of fun and joke but it makes me think
I should hoe life's row and then not slink
Back to the quickest or easiest way;
But hoe my best from day to day.
For in Leonard and Maude I find two souls
Always hoeing their row toward noble goals!
UNCLE HOWARD AND AUNT ELLA
If you want a sample of hospitality
Just drop in for a four o'clock tea
At our Aunt Ella's and Uncle Howard's
It's really no place for social cowards.
For Aunt Ella with a beaming smile
Brings on food galore that reaches a mile;
And then it makes me laugh to hear
Uncle Howard say: "There isn't much here!"
And I stack my plate with every treat
And Howard says: "Come you really must eat!
Here's corn and chicken, potatoes and pickle--
We don't have much-- it's only a trickel!"
But a loaded table with many good things
Is what a visit to their house brings;
But most of all it's that kindly way
They have of making you feel O-KAY!
Uncle Howard sitting in Grandpap's chair
GRANDPAP'S CHAIR
To Grandpap's farm-- what a joy it would be!
Though riding all day through the mire and the clay,
And climbing at Sharpsburg the hill and to see
In the darkness a light to show us our way.
A light from a window-- a lamp with its ray
Told us that Grandpap and grandma were there;
Then I, as a lad from the city would say:
"I can't wait to ride on grandpap's old mare!"
Then grandma brought out some delicious graham bread
And sleepy heads ate as they started to nod,
And grandpap took down the Bible and read
And prayed as a man who walked close to God.
And then with lamps lit -- with care, lest one fall
We climbed with adventure that old winding stair;
And went to that room where up on the wall
Was pictured the Battleship Maine all a-glare.
And a night most restful to muscle and bone
Awakened by roosters and birds in the dell;
Then dash out-of-doors to wash on that stone
In a basin of water, right from that old well.
And then after breakfast to hear a clear bell
Ring over the valley from Mt. Hermon's spire
On Sabbath morning its message to tell
And climb once again through the mud and the mire.
To worship and sing neath that sacred wood
Near graves of loved ones who've passed on before;
Then eat from tables all loaded with food,
Meeting uncles and aunts and cousins galore.
And back to grandpap's for a ride on "Old John;"
Then an afternoon nap neath the huge cherry tree,
Reading the "Johnstown Flood" on the lawn,
Or hearing some stories on grandpap's knee.
What is it brings back to me all of these days--
So long now passed? -- it is grandfather's chair!
Where he read his Bible; his God to praise
And left to us all a heritage most rare!
UNCLE SETH
I knew you best that July day
When we sat 'neath the welcome shade;
The words you said have passed away,
But somehow those songs have stayed.
And how you sang of that other shore:
"What a glorious day 'twill be!"
You said; little knowing a few days more
You too would cross that crystal sea.
Singer and lover of Hymns you were
With voice untrained in singer's art;
But joy in song that would always stir
New faith in the Christian's heart.
God knew you best that July day
Where in his house he called for you
And answering -- in that place far away
Still sing and praise Him too!
A HARRIS QUARTET
Howard, Leonard, Lucy and Frank ---
Here they stand drawn up in a rank;
A good looking bunch you must admit
And it didn't hurt Howard a single bit
To shave and spruce up -- doesn't he look fine?
And brother Leonard, he really does shine
From the top of his head clear down to his toes:
And sister Lucy -- how she can pose
Such dignity and poise for one so young!
And brother Frank his praises we've sung
His head might grow bigger if we said more;
But one is missing -- there's more than four ---
Oh yes -- sister Lide, which doesn't embarass
This grand, loving family with that name Harris.
TO ONE OF THE LATEST MEMBERS OF THE
HARRIS FAMILY
DANIEL STACEY HARRIS
Blessings on thee, little man!
Latest one of the Harris clan --
Carrying on that torch of Life
Given to us through peace and strife
By ancestors strong and ever pure;
Lovers of freedom with trial to endure,
And character forged from rugged hills
Life lived faithfully as God wills.
A sainted grandfather placed his hand
Upon your head, that you might stand
In that long line of those who give
Devotion to God each day they live;
And with this heritage of body and mind
With Christ-like spirit may you find
By carrying on the traditions above:
A happier world of peace and love!